Combination watch frame for wrist and pendant wear



March 7, 1967 W. COHEN COMBINATION WATCH FRAME FOR WRIST AND PENDANT WEAR Filed Feb. l5, 1965 3 Sheecs-Sheet l March 7,3957 WCOHEN 3,307,345'

COMBINATION WATCH FRAME FOR WRIST AND PENDANT WEAR Filed Feb. v15, 1965 3 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR W 7 Ja/(zam (bhe/1 March 7, 1967 W. COHEN 3,307,345

COMBINATION WATCH FRAME FOR WRIST ANO PENDANT WEAR Filed Feb. 15, 1965 3 Sheets- Sheet 3 United States Patent O s 3,307,345 COMBINATION WATCH FRAME FR WRIST AND PENDANT WEAR William Cohen, 2165 Ryer Ave., New York, N.Y. 10038 Filed Feb. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 432,484 8 Claims. (Cl. 58-88) This invention relates to the art of watch ease construction and more particularly concerns =a watch case having convertible coupling means for alternatively and selectively attaching la wrist iband or a pendant strap.

Heretofore many wrist watch cases have been constructed with xed projections at opposite ends for detachably engaging pintles upon which loops of Wrist bands, wrist straps or bracelets can 'be engaged. According to the present invention there are provided wat-ch cases in which are movable eyes or loops. The eyes can be moved laterally outwardly to outer, widely spaced positions for engaging ends of cylindrical pintles to which looped ends of wrist straps or bracelets can becoupled. The eyes can be moved laterally inwardly to centrally located positions for engagin-g loops of narrow pendent straps or cords, so that the watch cases can be worn off the wrist supported by straight straps or cords. In another form of the invention, the Watch case can be provided with a pair of retractable widely spaced eyes for engaging a pintle, and with 1a third centrally located retractable eye for engaging the end of a pendent strap or cord. The several eyes can be constructed as links in an articulated strap holder.

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a watch case for supporting a watch movement, the watch case including ya frame having movable eyes located at one end thereof, the. eyes being disposable in spaced positions for engaging a pintle therebetween and being movable to a central position .for engaging one end of a pendent strap.

Another object is to provide a watch case with a plurality of spaced, retractable eyes, a first two of the eyes being ydisposed in spaced positions for engaging one pintle therebetween and a third eye being centrally located for engaging one end of a 4pendent strap, the third eye being retracted when the first two eyes are extended and vice versa.

A further 4and important ofbject of the invention is to provide a watch case with removable and reversible pintle eyes which can be mounted upon the watch case in either wide spread or closed relationship relative to each other to yaccommodate either a wrist band or a chain for pendant or pocket wear.

A further object is to provide Ia watch case with movable eyes defined lby links of an articulated strap holder.

Another object is to rprovide a Watch case with means for alternatively and selectively engaging a pintle to which a loop of a wide strap can be coupled or to which an end of a narrow strap or cord can be connected.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will `be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a watch including a watch case embodying the invention, with attached wrist straps,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged watch case of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is lan enlarged front view of the watch case of FIGS. 1 and 2, with part of a supporting strap,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view perspective view of part of the taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1,

` invention,

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 8 8 of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of part of another watch case,

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line ltl--Iil of FIG. 9,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view with portions broken away of another watch case, provided with an articulated strap holder shown in extended position,

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view of the Watch case of FIG. 11 with the strap holder and parts of the watch case shown in cross section, the strap holder being disposed in one operative position,

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, with the strap holder shown in another operative position,

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of part of another watch case,

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line I5-15 of FIG. 14,

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective View of a Watch case embodying another form of the invention,

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of part of the watch case of FIG. 16, shown in an inverted position,

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken on line 13*18 of FIG. 17,

FIG. 19 is a front view with another watch case,

FIG. 2() is a perspective view of part of a further watch case, and

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 21-2i of FIG. 20,

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view of a watch case embodying a still further modified form of the invention,

FIG. 23 is a similar view of a watch case embodying yet another modied form of the invention,

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23 showing the step in mounting the fiat eyes,

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken on the line 25-25 of FIG. 23,

FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken on the line 2li-26 of FIG. 25,

FIG. 27 is a front elevational view of a watch case embodying a still further modified form of the invention,

FIG. 28 is a spread perspective view of the flat eye and mounting,

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary top perspective view of a watch case embodying yet a further modified form of the invention,

FIG. 30 is a sectional View taken on the line 39-30 of FIG. 29.

Referring rst to FIGS. 1 5, there is shown a Watch case W1 including a recangular frame 20 in which is set a crystal 25. Inside the case is a watch movement 26. At the upper end of the case is a pair of movable eyes 28. The eyes have axially aligned holes 29` for receiving pins 30, 31 of a pintle 32 engaging loop 33 at one end of wrist strap 34. Bottom ends of the eyes are formed with dovetails 36 slidably engaged in dovetail groove 38 formed in the upper end of the watch case. The eyes can be moved laterally toward and away from each other. In their most widely separated position they can engage pins 36, 31 of pintle 32 as clearly shown in FIGS. l, 4 and 5. Abutments 39 hold the eyes at ends of groove 38.

parts broken away of The eyes can be moved together to a centered position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 so that the holes 29 are disposed in registration with each other, when pintle 32 is removed. Catch loop 40 at the end of a single pendent strap 42 can be engaged in the holes of the juxtaposed or abutted eyes 28. This strap may terminate at its other end in a catch loop 44.

The single strap can be used to hang the watch from a garment. For example, it 4can be engaged in the lapel of a coat, a loop of a belt, etc. The watch can be worn as a pocket watch with a suitable fob attached to loop 44. A suitable jeweled7 ornamental pin can be attached to loop 44 so that the watch can be worn in pendent position on a shirt or blouse. In any case the single strap supports the watch as contrasted with the arrangement of FIG. 1 where strap 34 is engaged with associated wrist strap 35. Strap 35 has a loop 45 engaged on pintle 46 held between stationary projecting eyes 4S at the other end of the watch case. Pintle 46 will be removed along with strap 35 when strap 42 is attached to the upper end of the case W1.

Watch case W2 shown in FIG, 6 has a circular trame 20a with dovetailed grooves 36a, 38a formed at top and bottom ends of the frame in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. In these grooves are laterally movable pairs of upper eyes 28a and lower eyes 28a. Pintles 32a, 46a can be engaged in the eyes when they are separated most widely apart. Straps 34, 35 of FIG. l can be attached to the pintles 32a, 46a of the watch case W2. Alternatively when they eyes 28a or 28a are moved together loop 40 of strap 42 can be engaged in the juxtaposed eyes. A circular crystal 25a and circular watch movement 26a are mounted in case W2. If desired, loop 44 of strap 42 can be engaged with juxtaposed eyes 26a' while loop 40 is engaged with eyes 28a.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 is shown a watch case W3 having a frame 2011 at the top end of which are two eyes 28h. The eyes are L-shape-d in cross section with vertical walls 49, and base portions 50 rotatably engaged by pins 52 on the frame 2011. Holes 29h in the eyes are disposed in alignment with each other to receive ends of pintle 32b when the eyes are turned outwardly as shown in solid lines in FIGS. 7 and 8. When the eyes are turned inwardly, the walls 49 are closely spaced in the dotted linev position shown in the drawing so that holes 29b are disposed in registration to receive the end of a single strap such as loop of strap 42.

Watch case W4 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 has a cavity formed in the upper end of frame 20c. A shaft 56 extends through this shaft, opposite ends of the shaft are rotatably journalled in end walls 57, 58 of the frame. A slot 59 is provided in one end of the shaft to facilitate turning the same with a suitable tool such as a screwdriver. Worm threads 60, 61 are provided on the shaft in spaced apart positions. Arcuate eyes 62 have grooves 63 formed on outer edges thereof and engaged with threads 60, 61 respectively so that the eyes turn circumferentially like worm gears when the shaft 56 is rotated. Opposite ends 64, 65 of the eyes 62 are slidably engaged in outer openings 66 and inner central opening 67 formed in top wall 68 of the frame 20c. Holes 29e are provided in the adjacent inner ends 65 of the eyes 62. Holes 29C are provided in outer ends 64 of the eyes.

When the shaft 56 is rotated to project ends 65 of the eyes through opening 67 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the holes 291C are disposed in substantial registration for engagement by loop 40 of single strap 42, shown in FIG. 3. Ends 64 of the eyes are then retracted into openings 66. When the shaft 56 is rotated to project ends 64 of the eyes through holes 66 as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 10, the inner ends 65 of the eyes will be retracted and concealed at opening 67. A pintle such as pintle 32 of Watch case W1 can then be engaged in the projecting ends 64 of the eyes.

Watch case W5 shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 has a frame 20d formed with a flat top end Wall 68d. Abut- .ments 70 and 70 lare provided at opposite ends of wall 68d. Pivotally engaged by pins 72 in holes 71 of the abutments are loops 73 at opposite ends of an articulated strap holder 75. The strap holder has six pivotally connected links 811-85. Links 80, 81 are pivotally joined together by pin 90. Holes 86, 87 in these links register with each other when these links are folded to upright position as sown in FIG. 12. Longer central links S2, S3 are pivotally connected by pin 92. These links have holes 93, 94 which register with each other at the center of the central plane of the watch case when these links are juxtaposed and upright as shown in FIG. 13. Link is pivotally joined to abutment 70 and links 81, 82 are pivotally joined together by pin 95. These links have holes 97, 98 which register with each other when the links are upright and juxtaposed at abutment '70 as shown in FIG. 12. By the arrangements shown, a single strap can be connected to the abutted links 82, 83 or a pintle 32d can be engaged in the registering holes of abutted links 80, 81 and 84, 85 for holding one end of wrist strap. Outer vertical wall portions of the abutments 70, 70 hold the end links upright as shown in FIG. 12. The inner links 32, 83 are then disposed in coplanar disposition on the top wall 68d of the watch case. When links 82, 83 are upright and juxtaposed, then end links 80, 81 and 84, 85 are coplanar and rest on the top of wall 68d. Links 83, 84 are pivotally connected by pin 99. A Watch movement 26d and crystal 25d are mounted in case W5.

Spring catch clips 82 and 83 are provided uponv the Watch case W5 to detachably hold the links 32, 83 and 81, 84 against the at top end wall 68d of the watch case.

Watch case W6 shown in FIGS. 14 and l5 has a frame 20e with a cavity 55e in its upper end. End openings 64e and central opening 67e are provided in top wall 68e. Two vertically disposed and vertically slidable at eyes 100, 1102 are engaged in openings 64e. A single centrally disposed vertically slidable flat eye 104 is engaged in opening 67e. The bottom ends of the eyes in cavity 55e are connected =by links 106, 108. These links are pivotally supported on stationary pins 110, 112 in opposing front and rear walls 113, 114 of the watch case. Slots 115, 116 and 115', 116 are provided in the pivotable links 106, 108 so that `when central eye 104 moves up out of the cavity 55e, the eyes 100, 102 move down into the cavity, and vice versa. Thus the end eyes and central eye alternately retract and extend. When the central eye 104 is extended, la single ended strap such as strap 42 of FIG. 3 can be engaged in opening 120 of this eye. When the end eyes 100, 102 are extended as shown by dotted lines in FIG. l5 a pintle for holding a strap can be engaged in -holes 122 of these eyes. A crystal 25e and watch movement 26e can be mounted in the watch case..

Watch case W7 shown in FIGS. 16-18 has three flat eyes a, 102a, 104a slidably engaged in end openings 64j and central opening 67 f of top wall 68f in frame 201. The flat eyes are frictionally engaged in the openings and can be projected lby inverting the watch case and shaking them out as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Bottom end projections 125 hold the eyes in the openings in the top Wall. The bottom ends ofthe eyes are disposed in cavity SSf formed in the top of the watch case. The eyes can be pushed in manually so that the top ends of the eyes are flush with the upper side of top Wall 68]L as shown in FIG. 16. When only the central eye 104a is extended a single ended pendent strap can be engaged in opening 120a. When the two end eyes 100a, 10211 are extended a pintle can be engaged in openings 122a for holding a wide flat strap such as strap 34 of FIG. 1. Crystal 25f and watch movement 26f are mounted in the Watch case below cavity 551.

Watch case W8 shown in FIG. 19 is generally similar to watch case W7 but has a round frame 20g. Flat eyes 100b, 102b are slidably disposed in lateral slots 64g formed in the top end of the case. Flat central eye 104b is slidably disposed in central slot 67g in the top of the case. These eyes can be extended by shaking them out of the slots when the watch case is inverted. Hole 120i) of central eye 1tl4b receives a single ended narrow strap. Holes 122b of outer eyes 100b, 102b engage ends of a pintle for holding a wide strap. Lateral projections 125a at inner ends of the eyes hold them in the slots. The watch case has a round crystal 25g and round watch movement 26g mounted therein. As in watch case W7, the central eye can be fully retracted while the outer eyes are extended and vice versa.

Watch case W9 shown in FIGS. 2O and 21 has a central U-shaped eye 130 slidably disposed in central slot 132 at the upper end of the watch case. Outwardly extending projections i133 at the inner end of the eye hold the eye in the slot. The eye can be retracted so that its 'bight 134 is ush with the upper side of the top Wall 68h of the watch case. Two hinges 135, 137 are provided near the ends of the top wall. These hinges have upwardly extensible eyes 138 pivoted to stationary bottom leaves 140. Leaves 140 are anchored by rivets or screws 142. The hinges are set in recesses 144 so that when the eyes 138 are pivoted inwardly and downwardly their exposed sides are iiush with the upper sides of wall 68h as shown in FIG. 21. The single eye 130 can engage ends of a pintle in their openings 122C.

In all forms of the invention described, when the central eye is extended the end eyes can be retracted and vice versa so that the watch case always presents a neat appearance. The invention makes it possible to wear a watch as a wrist watch or as a pocket, lapel or suspended, pendant watch.

In FIGS. 27 and 28, a modified form of watch case W12 having a round frame 20k is shown. The frame is mounted on legs i168 which support a round bar 170 therebetween. The circular top end is formed with a slot 172 and slidably mounted in slot 172 is a pair of slightly curved eyes 28k. Compression springs 174 are interposed in the slot between the ends of the slot and the eyes 2Sk. The eyes can be moved together to a centered position as shown in FIG. 27 so that the holes 29k are disposed in registration with each other to receive a catch loop such as the catch loop 40 of strap 42 of FIG. 6.

Watch case W shown in FIGS. 22 to 26, inclusive, has two L-shaped eyes 150, 1541 slidably mounted in an elongated slot 152 in the center of the upper end of the watch case. Each eye G has an upright portion 154 and a horizontal portion 156 joined by a neck portion 158. The horizontal portion 156 holds the eye in the slot in the top wall of the upper end of the watch case. The eyes 150 are inserted through an enlarged notch 160 formed in the slot midway its ends and the eyes can be pushed to the ends of the top wall as shown in FIG. 23. When the eyes are pushed to the ends of the top wall a pintle can be engaged in the openings 162 in the vertical portion 156 for holding a wide at strap such as strap 34 of FIG. 1. When the eyes are turned inwardly the portions 154 are closely spaced in the dotted line position shown in FIG. 25 so that the holes 162 are disposed in registration to receive the end of a single strap such as the loop 40 of strap 42 of FIG. 6.

In FIGS. 29 and 30 yet another modiiied form of watch case W13 is shown. The top of the frame 20m is formed with an elongated slot 174 extending from `side to side thereof and mounted in the slot there is an elongated screw 176 wit-h bearings in the sides of the frame. The screw 176 has right hand threads on one side of its midcenter and left hand threads on the other side thereof. A pair of flat eyes 28m having depending internally screw threaded bearing members 178 is mounted on the screw, the bearing members being right handed and left handed screw threaded similarly to the screw so that upon turningl of the screw by a tool, the eyes 28m will ride along the screw to the center and lback.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A watch case having a frame, a pair of individually movable eyes movably mounted on the frame on -at least Ione side thereof, said eyes having holes dispos-ed in registrati-on with each other for receiving ends of a pintle when the eyes are spaced most widely apart, said holes being adapted to receive a looped end of a pendent strap when the eyes are juxtaposed to each other.

2. A watch case as defined in claim 1 wherein the eyes are Lshaped with the base portions thereof pivotally attached to one end of the frame in spaced apart positions thereon, said eyes having upright portions fromed with holes therein, said holes being disposed in alignment with each other when the eyes are turned to space the upright portions apart for receiving ends of fa pintle therebetween, said eyes being disposed in regis-tration with each other for receiving the looped end of a pendent strap when the eyes are turned to juxtapose the upright portions thereof.

3. A watch case as defined in claim 1 wherein the opposite sides of the frame have dovetail grooves formed therein, :a second pair of eyes at the opposite side respectively of the frame, each pair of eyes having dovetail ends slidiably engaged in one of the grooves and individually movable laterally along one oppo-site side of the frame, the eyes having holes aligned wit-h each other when the eyes are spaced most widely apart at opposite sides of a groove for receiving ends of a pintle, the holes being disposed in registration with each other for receiving a looped end of a pendent strap when the eyes of a pair thereof are juxtaposed to each other at the other opposite side of the frame.

`4. A watch case as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame have. two widely spaced openings and a third centrally disposed opening at one end of the frame, said frame having walls defining a cavity at said end of the frame with the openings communicating with said cavity, a shaft extending through said cavity and rotatably supported in two of said walls, said shaft having helical threads formed thereon said eyes constituted by a pair of arcuate members in said cavity, one end of each of said members being slidably disposed in a dilierent one of said two openings, the other end of each member being slida-bly disposed in said third central opening, other threads formed on said members engaged with the threads on said shaft so that when the shaft is turned in one direction the members rotate circumferentially so that the one end of said members project out of said two openings, and when the shaft is turned in an opposite direction the other ends of said members project out of the central opening, the ends of said members lhaving holes therein so that the one ends of the members define eyes for engaging ends of a pintle therebetween, and the other ends of the members adapted to engage an end of a pendent strap.

5. A watch oase `as deiined in claim 1 and a pair of legs depending `from the frame at`the opposite side for supporting the same, a round bar supported -by the legs in the space therebetween, said frame having a slot in said one side slidably mounting said eyes, said eyes adapted to be manually moved toward each other, in sald slot, compression springs interposed between the eyes and the ends of the slot, said eyes adapted to receive the looped end of a pendant strap, said springs 1adaptied to retract the moved eyes when pressure is reease 6. A watch case las ydefined in claim l wherein said frame has a slot along the top end thereof with a notch midway the ends of the slot, said eyes being L-shaped and slidably mounted in said slot, said eyes each having `a horizontal porti-on and an upright portion, said upright portion having :a hole therein, said holes being disposed in alignment with each other, for receiving the looped end of a pendant strap, said horizontal prortion being dimensioned to pass through the notch in the slot, whereby the eyes may be positioned with the upright portions in abutting relation or with the horizontal portions in abutting relation.

7. A watch case as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame has a slot along the top end thereof, a screw in said slot having its ends journalled in the sides of the frame, said screw having right and left hand threads on opposite sides of its midcenter, said eyes have depending annular bearing members with internal screw threads, said screw threads of the bearing members corresponding to the screw threads on the screw whereby turning of the screw causes the eyes to ride along the screw toward and away from the ends thereof.

8. A watch case as defined in claim 6 and said L- shaped eyes having their horizontal portions removable through the said notch and adapted to be reversed for reinsertion through the notch to Iadapt the watch case for either pintle attachment of the wrist watch strap or for pendent or pocket wear.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 170,503 10/1934 Switzerland.

RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

G. F. BAKER, Assistant Examiner'. 

1. A WATCH CASE HAVING A FRAME, A PAIR OF INDIVIDUALLY MOVABLE EYES MOVABLY MOUNTED ON THE FRAME ON AT LEAST ONE SIDE THEREOF, SAID EYES HAVING HOLES DISPOSED IN REGISTRATION WITH EACH OTHER FOR RECEIVING ENDS OF A PINTLE WHEN THE EYES ARE SPACED MOST WIDELY APART, SAID HOLES BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A LOOPED END OF A PENDENT STRAP WHEN THE EYES ARE JUXTAPOSED TO EACH OTHER. 